Maura's Game

The Queen of Southwark

In the gritty backstreets of South London, Maura Byrne reigns supreme—a woman who built her empire from shattered dreams and iron will. In Maura’s Game, Martina Cole delivers a pulse-racing saga of power, loyalty, and revenge. From the neon glow of late-night clubs to the gritty confines of council estates, Maura’s influence stretches from Croydon to Catford, commanding respect with every steel-toe boot and whispered deal. Cole’s razor-sharp prose immerses you in Maura’s world, where a single glance can seal a fate and a whispered promise can ignite a war.

High Stakes and Dark Alliances

When an ambitious rival family encroaches on her territory, Maura must navigate a lethal maze of shifting loyalties. With her right-hand man, the brooding enforcer Declan “Decky” Doyle, she orchestrates a series of high-stakes gambits—raids on illicit gambling dens, rooftop confrontations beneath blazing floodlights, and clandestine meetings in fog-shrouded docks. Yet as the body count rises and old allegiances fracture, Maura discovers that the deadliest threats come not from enemies at the gate, but from betrayals within her inner circle. Every alliance is a roll of the dice, and every victory carries the weight of a lifetime’s sacrifice.

Betrayal and Redemption

Haunted by memories of a tragic past and the ghost of a sister she could not save, Maura faces her greatest trial when the police close in on her empire. As the sirens wail through Southwark’s narrow streets, she must choose between preserving her legacy and protecting the family she has left. In a breathtaking climax beneath the arches of a derelict railway bridge, Maura confronts the ultimate question: will vengeance destroy her, or will it forge the path to redemption?

. Martina Cole – bestselling British crime novelist born in 1955, renowned for her unflinching portrayals of London’s underworld and unforgettable heroines who command respect in a world ruled by men.